Gender roles
The definition of who is a male or a female depends on the types of gender roles one was exposed to during the early ages. Gender is one of the worldwide dimensions on which differences in status are based. Gender roles are the expected behaviors and ways of conduct of both males and females by members of society (Anon. “Gender roles” 1). Different cultures impose different roles on their members. In most cases, parents have strong control over a person’s supposed gender roles. They are the first teachers of attitudes and behavior that are expected in society. Some of these parents still hold the traditional definition of male and female gender roles.
Early feminism in the western society
In the early 1800s, women’s roles were perceived to be domestic chores. Their roles were to keep the moral standards of the society and being housewives to their families. They were believed to be unequal to their male counterparts either socially or legally. However, during the late 1800s, they started demanding their place in society economically, politically, and socially. In America, primary and secondary teaching happened to be a woman’s profession in the late 1800s (Berkin, Miller and Cherny 8).
They were major changes such as industrialization, immigration, western expansion, and more districts schools were built in order to keep up with the changes. The state took up the roles of regulating and strengthening schools and this led to the need for more teachers and feminism grew rapidly especially in the urban areas. From 1850-1900 teaching was formalized and the percentage of female teachers increased although they were not paid as much as their male counters parts (Boyle 15).
Industrial revolution
The industrial revolution created opportunities and men left the teaching profession to work in the industries. Only a few men were left in the teaching career and those who taught chose to teach in the states where they could be employed as professionals (European commission 2).
During the period 1900 to 1950, there was a reduction in agriculture and people moved to the cities. There were new job openings, salary increased, and working conditions improved and teaching attracted many men. Women got other attractive options and teaching ceased to be a female career (Boyle 20)
Male and female roles in the modern society
Today we have a greater number of women in the labor force. The labor force accounts for about 45% of white men in the workplace. There is an increase in the number of women in the workplaces especially those between the ages of 25 and 54 years. With this increase in the number of women in the labor force, there has been a change in behaviors and attitudes. Both genders are now conscious of sexual harassment than they were before. Companies now have policies that are beneficial to both men and women although women still earn less compared to men (Anon. “Gender roles” 6)
Conclusion
In the late 1800s teaching in secondary and primary schools was highly feminized. This has changed with the industrial revolution and now women can work in any profession. In today’s society, we have a greater number of women in the workplace as compared to men. This has been as a result of the increase in the fight for gender equality; they now have free rights such as the right to vote, rights toward reproduction and birth among others.
Works Cited
Anon. “Gender roles.” Advameg, Inc. 2010. Web.
Berkin, Carol; Miller L. Christopher; Cherny W. Robert. Making America: A History of the United States from 1865. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.
Boyle, Elizabeth. “The Feminization of Teaching in America.” MIT program in women’s and gender studies. 2010. Web.
European Commission. “Gender equality.” European Commission. 2010. Web.